Portable outdoor fireplace

ABSTRACT

A portable outdoor fireplace which can also be used as a cooking grill. The fireplace includes a base member, a four-sided screened enclosure, a top member and two wheels. Only a few fasteners are needed to assemble and hold all of the components together.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to outdoor fireplaces and moreparticularly to portable outdoor fireplaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable fireplaces, and moreparticularly to portable outdoor fireplaces that are easy to assembleand inexpensive and can also be used as outdoor cooking grills.

Outdoor fireplaces in the past have typically been made of stones,bricks, and the like and have been constructed behind many homes formany decades. Outdoor fireplaces which are portable and able to be movedaround and are not permanently constructed on site have more recentlycome into existence. Such portable fireplaces are found, for example,in. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,298.

Although the known portable fireplaces have performed adequately in somerespects, they are still relatively expensive and are difficult toassemble and put into operation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved portable outdoor fireplace which is relatively inexpensive andalso easy to assemble and construct.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a portableoutdoor fireplace which is attractive in appearance and can also be usedas an outdoor cooking grill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes these and other objects and providesa portable outdoor fireplace that is relatively inexpensive, provides anaesthetic appearance, is easy to construct and assemble, and also can beused as a cooking grill.

The present invention includes a base member, four screened side panelmembers, a top member, and a pair of wheels. A cooking grate is alsoprovided so that the fireplace can be used as a barbecue or cookinggrill. All of the components are designed so that they can be easilyassembled with a minimum of time or difficulty. The components of thepresent invention can also be assembled without the need for pliers,screw drivers, or other tools.

In this regard, as few as four butterfly nuts and two pin members(cotter pins) are all that are needed to fully assemble the presentinventive portable outdoor fireplace.

The four side screen panel members are generally trapezoidal in shapeand fit together to form a truncated pyramid-type structure. The fourscreen panel members fit together along their side edges.

A door is situated on one of the four screen panel members in order toallow access to the inside of the fireplace. A cooking grate can also beprovided to allow use of the fireplace as a cooking grill or barbecue.

The wheels are positioned on the fireplace by short axle members whichare positioned on openings in the sidewalls of the base member.

Further features, benefits and advantages of the inventive process andsystem will become apparent from the following description ofembodiments of the invention, particularly when viewed in combinationwith the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the sidescreen panel members in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view illustrating assembly of the fourscreen panel members in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the front clasp or latchmechanism of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention when viewedfrom the bottom.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the insertion and use of a cooking grate inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the portability of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable outdoor fireplace 10 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explodedview of such embodiment illustrating its various components.

FIG. 2 illustrates the construction or assembly of the various parts andmembers of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This showsthat the entire fireplace can be assembled without any tools, such asscrew drivers, pliers, and the like and with a minimum number offasteners. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, only four wing nuts and twopin members (cotter pins) are necessary in order to fully assemble theinvention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, the embodiment of the invention asshown includes a base member 15, four screen side panel members 20, 25,30 and 35, a top member 40, and a pair of wheel members 50 and 52. Allof the components of the portable outdoor fireplace 10 as shown in FIGS.1 and 2 are preferably made of a metal material except for the two wheelmembers 50 and 52 and portions of the preferred type of handle members60 and 62.

The base member 15 is preferably made from sheet metal material, eitheras a one piece stamping or a series of metal plates welded together. Thebase member is generally square in shape, as shown in FIG. 2, andincludes a recessed area 16 in the center thereof. The recessed area 16is provided for positioning of the materials which are to be burned orignited in the fireplace. These materials can be any type of kindling,leaves, paper or other combustibles when the invention is used as afireplace, or can be charcoal or the like when used as an outdoorcooking grill.

In this regard, although the fireplace shown and described issubstantially square in cross-section, it is to be understood that itcould also be any polygon in shape.

The side screen panel members 20, 25, 30 and 35 include sections of ametal screen-type material inside an outer frame member. Each of thescreen panel members are trapezoidal in shape as shown in the drawings.The two side screen panels 25 and 35 are the same. The front screenpanel member 20 has one or more door members 70 and 72 thereon. The doormembers 70, 72 are hingedly attached to the outer frame 21 of the frontscreen panel member 20 as shown. The hinges are identified by thereference numeral 74. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably two doormembers 70 and 72 are provided in the front screen panel member 20. Itis also possible in accordance with an alternate embodiment of theinvention to utilize a single door member in the front panel member.This embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 where the front screen panel memberis identified by reference numerals 20′ and the single door member isidentified by reference numeral 76.

The door members 70, 72 and alternately the single door member 76, arefastened together, or fastened to the front screen panel member by alatch mechanism. 80. The latch mechanism 80 is shown in an enlarged viewin FIG. 7. As shown, the latch member includes a rotating member 82 andan I,-shaped holder member 84. The latch rotating member 82 is held inplace by a screw or other fastener member 86. In this regard, although aspecific latch mechanism 80 is shown in the drawings, it is understoodthat any conventional or known type of fastening or latching mechanismcan be used to hold the door member or members in place so they cannotbe easily opened or dislodged when the fireplace is in use.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side screen panel members 25 and 35 areslidingly interlocked with the front screen panel member 20. This isalso shown in the enlarged cross sectional view in FIG. 6, which is across-section taken through the intersection of screen panels 20 and 35in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the side screen panel member 35 has anouter frame 36 and a central metal screen or mesh member 37. The sidescreen panel member 35 is slid in place into channel 90 that is formedon the side edges of the front screen panel 20. This is shown in FIG. 3relative to side screen panel member 25. The channel 90 is formed by anedge flange 21 on the sides of the front screen panel member 20,together with elongated member 22, which is attached to the frame of thescreen panel member 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly of the four screen panel members 20, 25,30 and 35. As indicated and shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two side screenpanel members 25 and 35 are first slid into the channels in the sideframe members of the front screen panel member 20 and assembled asshown. Thereafter, the rear screen panel member 30 is situated in placeand rotated such that the frame edges 26 and 38 are positioned inchannels 92 in the side edges of the rear screen panel member 30.

The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the assembly of therear screen panel member 30 with side panel member 35. Similar to thestructure of the edges of the front screen panel member 20, the sideedge members 31 of the rear screen member 30 have an outwardly bentflange 32 that acts together with elongated bent member 33 to form thechannel 92 in which the rear edges of the side panel screen panelmembers 25 and 35 are positioned.

In order to secure the four-panel screen enclosure to the base member15, fastener members, such as bolts 100, are provided on the outercorners of the front screen panel member 20 and the rear screen panelmember 30. The bolts 100 or other fasteners are positioned to passthrough openings 102 in the base member 15. This is shown particularlyin FIGS. 2 and 8.

Thereafter, four nuts or other fasteners, such as wing nuts 104, arescrewed onto the ends of the bolts or other fasteners 100 to secure thefour-panel screen enclosure to the base member 15. This is best shown inFIG. 8.

The two wheel members 50 and 52 are positioned on and attached to thebase member 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. Short axle members 51 and 53are positioned through openings in the centers of the wheels and theninserted through openings 54 and 55 in the base member.

The axle members 51, 53 are also positioned through openings 56, 57 inbracket members 58, 59 which are welded or otherwise affixed to theinside of the base member 15.

The axle members 51, 53 are held in place by any conventional fastenermembers, such as cotter pin members 110, 112. If desired, it is alsopossible to position washer members (not shown) between the wheels 50,52 and the outer surfaces of the base member 15.

It is also to be understood that the two wheel members could bepositioned on a single axle which traverses the width of the basemembers. In this embodiment, the pin members would be positioned on theoutside surfaces of the wheel members and preferably washers would beutilized.

Once the screen enclosure and base member are assembled together, thetop member 40 can be positioned in place. This is shown in FIGS. 1, 2,9-10 and 12. The top member 40 preferably has a series of openings 120on one or more of its side surfaces. This helps direct air that isheated in the interior of the top member 40 towards persons sitting orstanding nearby. As indicated, the openings 120 can be positioned on oneor all of the side surfaces, as desired, although openings 120 are onlyshown on one surface in the drawings. In addition, the openings 120 canhave any size and shape.

The top member 40 has an elongated groove or channel 130 positionedaround its outer edges. The channel 130 is adapted to be positioned overthe four top edges of the four screen panel members 20, 25, 30 and 35.This is best shown in FIG. 9. The top member 40 holds the four screenpanel members in place without the need for fasteners.

The handle members 60, 62 have pairs of metal leg members 61 and 63, aswell as central wooden handle members 64 and 65. Handle member 60, whichis attached to the base member 15, is used to lift the front edge of thefireplace and move it to an new location. The use of a handle toaccomplish this is shown in FIG. 11. Handle member 62 is used to liftthe top member 40 on and off the portable fireplace 10.

In this regard, in FIG. 11, an alternate type of handle member 66 isshown. The handle member 69 comprises a bent wire structure whose endsare positioned in sockets 67 and 68 positioned on the front side of thebase member 15. When the front edge of the fireplace 10 is elevated, asshown in FIG. 11, the fireplace 10 can be easily moved to any otherlocation.

As indicated above, the portable outdoor fireplace 10 has two principaluses. The first is building a fire in the fireplace and using it forheat and atmosphere on a patio or other outdoor location. The second useof the fireplace 10 is as a cooking grill or barbecue. For this purpose,a grate member 130, as shown in FIGS. 9-10 and 12, can be utilized. Asshown, the grate member 130 includes a large wire grate 132 and aplurality of leg member 134, but any conventional size and style ofgrate member can be utilized.

The screened door or doors allow direct access to the fire chamber inthe center of the screened enclosure. The doors allow access from theside of the fireplace 10, rather than by removing the top cover member40. This reduces the likelihood of occurrence of burns to a user of thefireplace.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, numerous variations and alternative embodiments willoccur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that theinvention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein,but instead is limited to the terms of the appended claims.

1. A portable fireplace device comprising: a base member; a screenedenclosure having a plurality of planar screen panels; and a top member;said screened enclosure being attached to said base member; said topmember being positioned on said screened enclosure.
 2. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein said base member,screened enclosure and top member are substantially square incross-section.
 3. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1wherein said base member, screened enclosure and top member aresubstantially polygonal in cross-section.
 4. The portable fireplacedevice as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one wheelmember positioned on said base member.
 5. The portable fireplace deviceas described in claim 4 wherein two wheel members are provided.
 6. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 4 wherein said at leastone wheel member is rotatably positioned on al axle member which in turnis connected to said base member.
 7. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 6 wherein said axle member is securely affixed tosaid base member by a pin member.
 8. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 7 wherein said pin member is a cotter pin.
 9. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 5 wherein said two wheelmembers are rotatably positioned on at least one axle member which is inturn connected to said base member.
 10. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim. 9 wherein said axle member is securely affixed tosaid base member by a pin member.
 11. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 10 wherein said pin member is a cotter pin.
 12. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein said screenedenclosure comprises four planar screen panel members.
 13. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein said screen panelmembers are each substantially trapezoidal in shape.
 14. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein said screen panelmembers comprise a screen member inside an outer frame member, saidouter frame member comprising a lower edge member which is positioned onsaid base members two angled side edges and an upper edge member. 15.The portable fireplace device as described in claim 14 wherein at leastone of said lower edge member has fastening means thereon for securelyconnecting said screen enclosure to said base member.
 16. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 15 wherein said fastening meanscomprise a bolt member and wherein a nut member is utilized to securelyconnect said screen enclosure to said base member.
 17. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 16 wherein said nut member is awing nut.
 18. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 14wherein two of said lower edge members have fastening means thereon forsecurely connecting said screen enclosure to said base member.
 19. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 18 wherein saidfastening means comprise a bolt member and wherein a nut member isutilized to securely connect said screen enclosure to said base member.20. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 19 wherein saidnut member is a wing nut.
 21. The portable fireplace device as describedin claim 12 wherein said four screen panel members are interlockedtogether along their side edges.
 22. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 12 wherein at least one of said four screen panelmembers has at least one door member thereon.
 23. The portable fireplacedevice as described in claim 23 wherein two door members are provided inone screen panel member.
 24. The portable fireplace device as describedin claim 22 wherein one door member is provided.
 25. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 22 further comprising a latchmechanism for securing said at least one door member in a closedcondition.
 26. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1further comprising a handle member on said base member.
 27. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 12 wherein said top member has achannel thereon for holding upper edge portions of said four screenpanel members.
 28. The portable fireplace device as described in claim 1wherein said top member has a handle member thereon.
 29. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein said top member has anair cavity which contains heated air when a fire is burning in saidfireplace device.
 30. The portable fireplace device as described inclaim 29 further comprising at least one opening in said top member forexpelling said heated air.
 31. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 1 further comprising a grate member, said gratemember adapted to be positioned inside said screened enclosure, whereinsaid fireplace device can also be used as a cooking grill.
 32. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein said basemember has a recessed portion for holding fire components.
 33. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 1 wherein said screenedenclosure is attached to said base member with four fasteners.
 34. Aportable fireplace device comprising: a polygonal shaped base member; apair of wheel members and a handle member attached to said base member;a screened enclosure positioned on said base member and comprising fourplanar screen panel members; said screen panel members being interlockedtogether and each having a substantially trapezoidal shape; a doormember in one of said four screen panel members; and a top memberpositioned on the upper edge portions of the secured enclosure.
 35. Theportable fireplace device as described in claim 34 further comprising ahandle member on said top member.
 36. The portable fireplace device asdescribed in claim 34 further comprising fastening means for securelyattaching said screened enclosure to said base member.
 37. The portablefireplace device as described in claim 34 further comprising a cookinggrill member.
 38. A method of assembling a portable fireplace device,said method comprising the steps of: providing a polygonal shaped basemember; attaching at least one wheel member to said base member;interlocking together a plurality of planar screen panel members to forma screened enclosure; attaching said screened enclosure to said basemember; and positioning a top member on said screened enclosure.
 39. Themethod of assembling a portable fireplace device as described in claim38 further comprising the step of providing a door member in at leastone of said plurality of screen panel members.
 40. The method ofassembling a portable fireplace device as described in claim 38 whereinthe steps of attaching said screened enclosure to said base membercomprises securing the screened enclosure to said base member with aplurality of fasteners.